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(H.R. 3590, H.R. 4872) Legislation making major changes to the national health care system, including expanding health coverage to uninsured Americans -- On a "question of consideration," or determining whether the House would bring up the resolution allowing the chamber to debate the health care legislation (2010 house Roll Call 159)

(H.R. 3590, H.R. 4872) Legislation making major changes to the national health care system, including expanding health coverage to uninsured Americans -- On a "question of consideration," or determining whether the House would bring up the resolution allowing the chamber to debate the health care legislation

This was a procedural vote determining whether the House would begin consideration of a resolution setting a time limit for debate and prohibiting amendments to major health care legislation. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), raised a point of order against the resolution, claiming it contained “unfunded mandates”, which violate the Congressional Budget Act. An unfunded mandate is a provision requiring states to spend money on a program without providing federal money to pay for the program. In order to defeat this point of order against the resolution, the Democrats needed to vote on a "question of consideration" -- which essentially determined whether the House would consider the resolution. If the House voted in favor considering the resolution, the point of order would be defeated.

Ryan said: "This bill is the mother of all unfunded mandates. There are mandates on states….There is an individual mandate. It mandates individuals purchase government-approved health insurance or face a fine to be collected by the IRS…There is a business mandate. It mandates businesses provide government-approved health insurance or face penalties….There's a health plan mandate. There are mandates on health plans to comply with new federal benefits, mandates without any funds to meet these new requirements…."

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) denounced Ryan's point of order as an effort to kill health care reform legislation: "Technically, this point of order is about whether or not to consider this rule and, ultimately, the underlying legislation. In reality, it's about blocking much-needed health care reform in this Nation. Those who oppose the process don't want any debate or votes on health care itself. They just want to make reform go away. I know my colleagues on our side will vote ``yes'' so we can consider this important legislation on its merits and not stop it on a procedural motion"

By a vote of 228-195, the House voted in favor of considering the resolution allowing for debate on health care legislation -- and, in effect, voted down Ryan's point of order. 228 Democrats – including all of the most progressive members present -- voted "yea." All 176 Republicans present and 19 Democrats voted "nay." As a result, the House was able to bring up a health care resolution setting a time limit for debate and a prohibition on amendments.